What we offer
Gentle Recovery Meals After Pregnancy Loss: The 15-Day 小月子 Plan
A 15-day plan of gentle Cantonese and Taiwanese-style soups and meals for a body that needs rest after a miscarriage or pregnancy loss. Cooked fresh each day and delivered, extendable by another 15 days. No explanation needed; ask when you are ready.
After a pregnancy loss, the people around you often do not know what to say, so they say nothing. And you may find that even “I need to rest” is a sentence you cannot quite get out.
This page is written for that time. In the tradition Julia cooks from, it has a name: 小月子, the small confinement.
What 小月子 is
In Taiwanese and Hong Kong tradition, a pregnancy that ends partway, whether by miscarriage, pregnancy loss or termination, is treated as a time that needs looking after, on the same principle as the confinement month after a birth, only shorter. It is a practice passed down through families rather than a medical instruction, but the idea underneath it is simple: the body has just been through something significant and deserves care.
Modern guidance points the same way. HealthLink BC notes that mild to moderate bleeding for one to two weeks after a miscarriage is normal and should ease after the first week, and recommends a balanced diet high in iron and vitamin C during recovery. Resting and eating well is what these 15 days are for.
What the 15 days include
Cantonese and Taiwanese-style soups and meals, cooked fresh each day and made gently, for a period of rest and recovery. They are not the same as our postpartum confinement meals, because the body is in a different place; we will explain what is included before you decide.
One course is 15 days. If you feel you need a little longer, it can be extended by another 15, and that can be decided at the time.
When to see a doctor
These meals are care, not treatment. In the following situations, go straight to medical help:
- Sudden severe pain in the belly or pelvis, heavy bleeding, or fainting: HealthLink BC’s advice is to call 9-1-1.
- Bleeding that has not eased after two weeks, or any change that worries you: contact your doctor or midwife, or call 8-1-1 in BC to reach a nurse at any hour.
- Anything your doctor has said about food or medication takes precedence. Just tell us when you order.
Feelings take time too
Sadness, anger, guilt, or feeling nothing at all are all normal, whatever stage the pregnancy had reached. If low mood lasts more than a couple of weeks, it is worth talking to your doctor. BC has free support routes, which we have gathered on our postpartum mental health support page; most of them apply after a pregnancy loss as well.
How to begin
No explanation needed. Message us or call 604 363 4448 and say you would like to know about the recovery plan; we will take it gently from there. If it is a friend or family member who is going through this, you can arrange it for her.
When you are ready, we are here.
What's included
- Nourishing soups and meals, cooked fresh each day In both Cantonese and Taiwanese styles.
- 15 days as one course Extendable by another 15 days if you need a little longer.
- Delivered to you
References
- Miscarriage · HealthLink BC
- HealthLink BC 8-1-1 nurse line · HealthLink BC
- Canada's Food Guide · Health Canada
Frequently asked questions
What does 小月子 mean?
It is the Taiwanese and Hong Kong term for a period of rest and nourishment after a miscarriage, pregnancy loss or termination, modelled on the postpartum confinement month but shorter. It is a cultural practice rather than a medical prescription; the point is time to rest and eat well.
How long does the plan run?
One course is 15 days. It can be extended by another 15 if you need it, and you can decide that later.
Is it the same food as the confinement meal plan?
No. The recovery plan is a separate set of soups and meals designed for this situation, and it differs from the postpartum plan. We will walk you through what it contains before you decide.
When can I start?
It depends on how you are. If your doctor or midwife has given you instructions, follow those first. Otherwise, ask us whenever you are ready.
Can I arrange it for a friend or family member?
Yes. Tell us, and we can arrange it through you, or reach out to her only when she is ready.
I would rather not explain what happened. Is that all right?
Completely. Telling us you want to know about the recovery plan is enough. Let us know about anything you cannot eat or anything your doctor has advised, and that is all we need.